soft chainrings?

I've never posted in this forum but figured no one would be able to help me as good as you guys.

Heres my problem:

My chainrings seem to be wearing must faster than the rest of my drivetrain. My bike is a 2007 giant tcr which i got new in may. My chain has less than .75% wear and my cassette doesnt appear to have any wear on it at all. I had the same bike in an 06 model last year and had the same problem. They got so bad I had to replace them (i ended up selling the bike and telling the new owner to replace them before riding). Any higher amount of wattage roughly 400+ and it starts skipping. I always have been told the chain and cassette will wear long before the chainrings. Does anyone know whats going on? Can I put stronger chainrings onto the crank?

soft chainrings

Interesting! I don't have a solution, but I have the same problem and not able to resolve it. I'm being told that the old chain might have worn-out the cog and when that occurs do not change the chain without replacing the cog.

My experience is that chainrings, (at least the Shimano, SR, Suguino and Campy which I have experience with) way outwear cogs and chains by at least 3 to 1. I don't know how or why you are wearing yours out so fast.

a lowrider BMX, a mountain bike, a faired recumbent, and a loaded touring bike

Posts

2,731

Mentioned

2 Post(s)

Tagged

0 Thread(s)

Steel chainrings can last for ten thousand miles.
Aluminum chainrings wear out after two or three thousand miles.
The rear cogs are steel, but the larger diameter of the chainring gives the chain more area to grip on.

I believe in replacing my chain before any skipping starts. And then I have to replace the rear cluster.
My MTB chainring is worn down to nubs. I replaced the chain in June, and had to replace the cluster as soon as the skipping started(on the test ride).

I asked what crack was on the bike because we had a customer come in and have the same problem with his Dura-Ace crankset. The solution we came up with was replacing the chainrings with 105 model chainrings. Both the Dura-Ace and 105 are aluminum but the Dura-Ace are made from a lighter aluminum which makes them prone to premature wear. The 105 and Ultegra's are aluminum but since the aluminum composition is different it makes them slightly stronger but with a weight penalty.

My cranks are Race Face Cadence, I dont know what they are made of (assuming aluminum). The bike was new in early summer so I only have a few thousand miles on them. It sounds like I should search for steel chainrings. I'm a racer but concerned with function first.

Race Face Cadence, I dont know what they are made of. The bike was new in early summer so I only have a few thousand miles on them. It sounds like I should search for steel chainrings. I'm a racer but concerned with function first.

No one makes steel chainrings for any high quality crank except for very small granny rings (30T or smaller).

If you search for steel chainrings it will be an easy find as the standard crank has a 130BCD while the compact has a 110BCD. But try looking into the lower shimano chainrings such as the Ultegra's or even the 105's

Note: There are harder and softer aluminum alloys used to make chainrings. 7075 is at the hard end of the scale. 5000 series is at the soft end of the scale. Makes a difference in resistance to wear. Heat treatment makes a difference, too.

Are you serious? Aluminum chainrings easily last 20,000+ miles even when used by strong riders in hilly conditions. You must ride continually through wet sand if you can wear out chainrings that fast.

That may be your experience but there are a LOT of variables. Some of those variables are:1. The amount of time the chain spends on a given ring. (miles don't matter if the chain isn't on that ring.) 2. The condition you've kept the chain. 3. Possibly the rider. 4. How dirty the environment is.

I am a mainly a mountain bike rider on dirt and gravel roads. A middle chain ring on my aluminum crankset bike lasts about 2000 miles. My other bikes with steel rings last about 5,000.

You can't say that there is a steadfast rule because there isn't. All i can attest to are my own results, from my own conditions. Same goes for everyone else.

That may be your experience but there are a LOT of variables. Some of those variables are:1. The amount of time the chain spends on a given ring. (miles don't matter if the chain isn't on that ring.) 2. The condition you've kept the chain. 3. Possibly the rider. 4. How dirty the environment is.

I am a mainly a mountain bike rider on dirt and gravel roads. A middle chain ring on my aluminum crankset bike lasts about 2000 miles. My other bikes with steel rings last about 5,000.

You can't say that there is a steadfast rule because there isn't. All i can attest to are my own results, from my own conditions. Same goes for everyone else.

Serious real off-road MTB use is very hard on everything so your experience is understandable if that's what you are doing.

However, the OP has a Giant TCR which is a road bike and he also said his chainrings are wearing out before his chain and cogs and that's what I find so strange.

Shimano Dora chainrings are steel and last forever. They work fine with 9 speeds, never tried with 10.
I had the same wear problem with Ultegra chainrings (only last about 6,000 kms) until Seldon Brown suggested I use Sora... I've had them for over 30,000 kms and they only show very minimal wear...

I've never posted in this forum but figured no one would be able to help me as good as you guys.

Heres my problem:

My chainrings seem to be wearing must faster than the rest of my drivetrain. My bike is a 2007 giant tcr which i got new in may. My chain has less than .75% wear and my cassette doesnt appear to have any wear on it at all. I had the same bike in an 06 model last year and had the same problem. They got so bad I had to replace them (i ended up selling the bike and telling the new owner to replace them before riding). Any higher amount of wattage roughly 400+ and it starts skipping. I always have been told the chain and cassette will wear long before the chainrings. Does anyone know whats going on? Can I put stronger chainrings onto the crank?

untreated aluminum rings are crap. shimanos best rings are XTR and Dura-Ace. they wear like iron. sugino rings are crap. salsa rings are the best that i've seen for the price in the aftermarket.

I've never posted in this forum but figured no one would be able to help me as good as you guys.

Heres my problem:

My chainrings seem to be wearing must faster than the rest of my drivetrain. My bike is a 2007 giant tcr which i got new in may. My chain has less than .75% wear and my cassette doesnt appear to have any wear on it at all. I had the same bike in an 06 model last year and had the same problem. They got so bad I had to replace them (i ended up selling the bike and telling the new owner to replace them before riding). Any higher amount of wattage roughly 400+ and it starts skipping. I always have been told the chain and cassette will wear long before the chainrings. Does anyone know whats going on? Can I put stronger chainrings onto the crank?

Something that hasn't been mentioned is....what is basis are you using to say your chainrings are wearing? Are you just using visual evidence and if so what is it?

I have two bikes, one I have had since 2001 (EPX Carbon frame with FSA Carbo cranks and the other a steel Fuji Ace, purchased about 1975 (all original parts still intact0. I have never had damaged teeth. I can't help wonder what is different about your bike to have so much damage so soon.

Specialized-TA make rings noted for their longevity. They are used by many pro riders and long distance tourists and come in pretty much any size and shape you need.
I had to hacksaw some old chainrings for a diy project. My old Stronglight rings come in 2 grades, std and extra tough. I could really feel the difference when sawing.

Specialized-TA make rings noted for their longevity. They are used by many pro riders and long distance tourists and come in pretty much any size and shape you need.
I had to hacksaw some old chainrings for a diy project. My old Stronglight rings come in 2 grades, std and extra tough. I could really feel the difference when sawing.